A fold-out brochure complete with map, beautiful photographs and information about the landscape and communities of the Somerset Levels, has been updated and reissued by South Somerset District Council.
The aim is to attract new visitors to discover the countryside and wildlife, heritage and traditional crafts of the area. The revised brochure has been made possible by funding which was allocated by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, to provide a boost for the recovery of tourism after the devastating effects of winter flooding in 2013-2014 which continued to have an impact into a second year.
The funding was provided to aid the recovery of individual businesses and for a series of initiatives to benefit South Somerset’s tourism sector as a whole.
Other initiatives to help increase visitor numbers have included a photography commission for images of events, landscape, towns, villages and businesses for use in social media, websites and publications; an increased print run and distribution of the Discover South Somerset brochure; and new images of The Levelsfor display signage at the popular A303 Cartgate Picnic Area.
Extending the visitor season into autumn and spring can be one way for small tourism businesses to survive and grow. Promotion of off-season breaks will be based around the brochure to attract people to come to Somerset when it is at its best for magic and moodiness.
Councillor Jo Roundell Greene, SSDC Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environment & Economic Development, said: “The unique and unspoilt landscape of the Somerset Levels is beautifully presented in this new brochure. It will give a huge boost to promoting tourism and give visitors a really good flavour of the heritage, wildlife and the variety of activities that they can enjoy when visiting the Levels and Moors.
“The area has recovered well from the flooding and is ready to welcome visitors and share all secrets and magic of the Somerset Levels”.
The Levels & Moors brochure is available from: Tourist Information Centres & Local Information Centres and online at www.discoversouthsomerset.com